Malaysia plans 2 coal-fired power plants

Malaysia plans 2 coal-fired power plants

Published: 2010/09/28

The federal government plans to build two blocks of 1,000 MW coal-fired power generation plants in the Peninsular following the cancellation of power transmission from the multi-billion ringgit Bakun Hydroelectric Dam project, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.

"We have decided that the two plants will be limited to only three brownfield sites, namely in Manjung (Perak), Jimah (Port Dickson) and Tanjung Bin (Johor).

"Because of the urgency of the matter, one of the 1,000 MW block is currently being handled by Tenaga Nasional Bhd in Manjung.

"The other block will see bidding by the existing brownfield site owner," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the National Water and Utilities Summit in Kuala Lumpur today.

He added the power supply was urgently needed by 2015 and it was better for the government to institute the process before it was too late.

Speaking on the government's plan for a nuclear powered generation plant under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), he said public consultation was the most crucial process.

"We must take note that the plans are for 2021, which is a 10 year gap between the actual implementation where the reactor will be functioning, we are now in the preparatory stage.

"International treaties need to be signed by Malaysia, proper legislation needs to be looked into and while doing that we will look into the consultation process," he said.

Chin added, a timeline from now until 2015 has been set to have a countrywide consultation and the ministry would institute various mechanisms to consult the public.

"At the end of the day, if the public does not wish for a nuclear reactor, we will respect that decision," he said. -- Bernama


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